Page 1376 - Week 05 - Thursday, 18 June 2020
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MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (4.55): Point (11) is the same as the previous one. I am not sure what the opposition leader means by “consult”—as in tell him before the government makes an announcement? In seeking consultation, is he seeking an opportunity to influence government policy and to assume the role of a member of the executive? There are clear implications in terms of the self-government act in that regard—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, you were allowed to speak.
MR BARR: so I am certainly not agreeing. We have certainly encountered this issue before, when non-executive members have sought to determine public spending. This relates specifically to government announcements.
Mr Coe: To consult.
MR BARR: I am not consulting, and the government is not consulting, on every single government announcement. This would cover every single government announcement, because the appropriation bills cover every activity of government. That is not acceptable or practical, frankly—both, Madam Speaker. The opposition leader may wish to assume the government benches, but he has to win an election in order to do so. This power grab, which is what it is, cannot be supported.
The second point is that the only thing that has changed in relation to point (12) is the timing of the request. The request remains the same. Whether that is substantially different obviously is a matter of interpretation, but the government’s position on both issues remains the same as it was for the previous vote. We have outlined an amendment to respond to the issues that Ms Lawder raised in her amendment. The Assembly has dealt with that. We will support Mr Gentleman’s amendment and we will not support Mr Coe’s amendment, which is substantially the same as the one that the Assembly voted on.
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, I believe that this is effectively a debating point. Mr Coe made the point that it changes the tabling from today to allowing for a week, and that the proposed new amendment includes the general government sector in paragraph (12). But you are still seeking for the government to provide operating statement, balance sheet and cashflow for a period, for year to date and an estimated outcome. The first point is the same, around consulting with party leaders before any financial measures are announced. I provided some leniency for Mr Barr, but I am of a mind now, Mr Coe, to rule the amendment out of order.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.59): Madam Speaker, I would add that we are also proposing to include (1) through (10), which is what makes it substantially different as well. Before, it would have been in place of what the government was proposing; this is actually in addition to what it is proposing. Therefore it is not a matter of saying that we do not want (4) to (10); we actually want
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